Choosing the right business phone plan depends on whether you need a VoIP system, a mobile plan for field teams, or both. This guide compares 13 providers by price, features, and use case, so you can match the right plan to your business size and structure.
Business Phone Plans at a Glance
The best business phone service depends on the company’s size, locations, communication channels, and budget.
- Best overall business phone service: Nextiva, for companies that need voice, SMS, video meetings, team messaging, integrations, and customer experience tools on one platform.
- Best VoIP provider for multiple offices: Nextiva, because its cloud platform supports business-number porting, intelligent routing, and desktop and mobile access.
- Best phone system for small business: Nextiva for growing teams that need a complete system; Grasshopper or Google Voice for very simple calling needs.
- Best video-conferencing bundle: Nextiva, RingCentral, or Zoom Phone. Nextiva includes video meetings with its Core plan, while Zoom Phone and RingCentral are useful for businesses already using their broader collaboration platforms.
- Most affordable VoIP service for small businesses: Google Voice has the lowest listed starting price in this comparison at $10 per user, per month. Nextiva starts at $15 per user, per month on an annual plan and includes a broader feature set.
- Easiest business phone system to set up: Grasshopper is designed for quick setup without desk-phone hardware.
Prices and features below can change based on billing term, user count, taxes, regulatory fees, hardware, international calling, and add-ons.
Business Mobile vs. VoIP Phone Plans
When searching for the best business phone plans, understand the technical difference between a cloud-based virtual suite and a traditional cellular carrier line.
- VoIP phone plans: Voice over Internet Protocol routes calls through an internet connection. Platforms such as Nextiva, Dialpad, and Zoom Phone combine calling with features such as auto-attendants, CRM integrations, SMS, video meetings, and AI analytics. Employees can use desktop softphones, desk phones, or mobile apps.
- Business mobile phone plans: Cellular carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile provide service through physical or digital SIM cards connected to mobile networks. These plans suit field teams, delivery operators, and remote workers who need connectivity away from Wi-Fi.
VoIP usually fits offices and distributed teams that need shared administration and business features. Cellular service remains useful for employees who work in the field or require mobile data and hotspot access.
How These Business Phone Plans Were Compared
The comparison considers the factors that affect the total cost and day-to-day usability of a business phone system:
- Starting price, billing term, and whether the vendor charges per user, line, extension, or account
- Local, toll-free, international, and vanity-number availability
- Number porting and provisioning
- Multi-office administration and call routing
- Voice, SMS, video meetings, and team messaging
- Auto-attendants, call queues, call recording, and voicemail transcription
- CRM, productivity, and contact-center integrations
- AI receptionists, answering services, analytics, and agent assistance
- Desktop, mobile, and desk-phone access
- Setup requirements, hardware, internet dependency, and support
- Uptime, contract terms, taxes, regulatory fees, and add-ons
Trustpilot ratings are shown where available and can change over time. They are customer-review scores, not independent product evaluations.
Business Phone Plans Comparison Chart
The table shows advertised starting prices available for this comparison. Annual billing is identified where the source information provides it.
| Business phone vendor | Best fit | Core services | Starting price | Billing basis | Trustpilot rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nextiva | Growing businesses, multi-office teams, and customer-service organizations | Virtual phone system, contact center, unified communications, AI agents | $15 per user, per month | Annual Core plan | 4.6/5 |
| Dialpad | Sales teams and companies focused on AI-assisted calling | Cloud VoIP, generative AI, sales and support tools | $27 per user, per month | Monthly Connect plan | 4.0/5 |
| Quo, formerly OpenPhone | Startups and small teams that share business numbers | Business phone system, texting, and collaboration | $19 per user, per month | Annual pricing receives a discount | 4.1/5 |
| Google Voice | Google Workspace users with basic calling needs | Cloud phone system and calling | $10 per user, per month | Plan pricing | 2.6/5 |
| Vonage | Enterprises that need APIs and custom workflows | Business phone, VoIP, communications APIs | $19.99 per extension, per month | Annual contracts receive a discount | 2.2/5 |
| 8×8 | Mid-sized businesses with international operations | Contact center, Microsoft Teams integration, conversational intelligence | Custom quote | Not publicly listed | 2.8/5 |
| GoTo Connect | SMBs that want voice and meetings together | Cloud phone, contact center, and meetings | Custom quote | Not publicly listed | 2.0/5 |
| Grasshopper | Freelancers and single-operator businesses | Basic virtual phone system | $14 per user, per month | Plan pricing | 2.9/5 |
| Ooma | Traditional offices using VoIP and analog equipment | VoIP, paging, extensions, and phone rentals | $19.95 per user, per month | Plan pricing | 3.5/5 |
| Zoom Phone | Companies already using Zoom Meetings | Cloud VoIP, video conferencing, provider exchange | $15 per user, per month | Phone plan billed separately from Zoom Meetings | — |
| Verizon | Businesses buying internet, hardware, and phone service together | Data, Wi-Fi, hardware, and business voice | $20 for the first voice line | Carrier package pricing | 1.2/5 |
| AT&T | Businesses that need utility and traditional phone lines | Voice, utility lines, basic VoIP, and wireless plans | $30 per voice line, per month | Four-line minimum stated in the original comparison | 1.3/5 |
| RingCentral | Large organizations with IT resources | Business phone, contact center, APIs, and AI add-ons | $30 per user, per month | Monthly RingEX pricing | 1.7/5 |
1. Nextiva
Best for: Businesses of different sizes, especially multi-office teams and organizations in compliance-focused industries such as healthcare and finance.
Nextiva, a unified business communications platform, combines VoIP, business SMS, video meetings, team messaging, contact-center tools, and customer experience features. Its unified customer experience approach lets businesses manage communication channels from one cloud platform.
Nextiva supports desktop and mobile apps, desk phones, number porting, local numbers, and toll-free numbers.
Nextiva states that its service provides 99.999% uptime. Geo-disaster recovery helps contact centers continue operating during regional outages. The platform also supports AI voice bots, context-aware analytics, transcription, business texting, video conferencing, and team chat.
Starting price
Nextiva’s pricing starts at $15 per user, per month (billed annually) for the Core plan, which includes inbound/outbound calling, business SMS, video meetings, and basic calendar integrations.
For the $25 Engage plan, your business adds a toll-free phone number with free incoming minutes, live web chat options, and automatic call recording.
Nextiva states that annual terms can save 35% to 50%, depending on the plan. Setup and add-on fees may apply.
Core services
- Intelligent call routing: Direct calls to the right agent or department based on skills and availability.
- Web callback: Let customers request a call from a chat window.
- ACD callback: Let callers request a callback during periods of high demand.
- Voicemail-to-email: Convert voicemails into emails for tracking and response.
- XBert AI: Answer common questions, route calls, and book appointments when agents are unavailable.
- Voice analytics: Track call performance and customer interactions.
- Number porting: Move existing business numbers to the service with no planned interruption, subject to the porting process.
- Desktop and mobile apps: Let employees use the same business phone system from computers and mobile devices.
Setup and multi-office fit
Nextiva is a strong fit for businesses that need a complete cloud phone system. Employees can access the service through apps or desk phones.
Pros
Voice, SMS, video meetings, messaging, and customer experience tools on one platform.
Native CRM and customer experience capabilities.
Includes 1,500 to 12,500 free toll-free minutes, depending on the base plan.
Supports hybrid, on-premises, and cloud deployments.
Provides AI answering and routing options.
Cons
Business phone service is limited to the U.S. and Canada.
No free trial is available.
Advanced contact-center capabilities require a higher plan.
Verdict: Nextiva is the strongest overall choice for a business that needs more than a basic phone line.
2. Dialpad
Best for: Sales teams that make high-volume outbound calls.
Dialpad is a voice-first communications platform with three products:
- Connect: Voice, text, video, and AI support.
- Support: Contact-center management.
- Sell: Outbound calling tools for sales teams.
The products can work independently and are billed separately. Dialpad fits teams that prioritize call coaching, sales workflows, and AI-assisted quality management.
Starting price
Dialpad offers a 14-day free trial. Dialpad Connect is the basic solution that starts at $27 per user, per month (billed monthly). It includes support for one local or toll-free number, and users can integrate it with Google Workspace.
Additional integrations, including connectors such as Zapier, require a higher plan.
Core services
- AI coaching: Creates agent-specific playbooks and provides real-time guidance.
- Silent monitoring and whisper coaching: Lets managers listen to calls and guide agents privately.
- Company dictionary: Supports consistent pronunciation of names, terms, and industry language.
- SFDC power dialer: Integrates with Salesforce for outbound calling.
- Video meetings: Supports voice, video, and text within the communications platform.
Setup and multi-office fit
Dialpad supports distributed teams and international numbers. Administrators should confirm the required product, plan, integrations, and number-porting timeline before deployment.
Pros
It has a modern UI that’s easy to navigate, especially if you’re switching from a legacy CCaaS solution.
Provides AI-powered quality assurance features.
Supports local numbers in 50+ countries.
Cons
Some users mention it can take weeks to port your number to Dialpad.
Users report glitches, mainly when dialing numbers or connecting calls.
Separate products can complicate budgeting.
3. Quo
Best for: Startups and small businesses that need shared numbers and team texting.
Quo is a cloud-based business phone system for startups, small businesses, and remote teams. It provides professional phone numbers, calling, texting, and team collaboration features that integrate with tools such as Slack and Gong.
Quo includes a lightweight CRM for basic contact management. Additional third-party apps can connect through Zapier or Make.
Starting price
Quo’s pricing plans start at $19 per user, per month. You receive a discount when you opt for their annual plan. The Sona AI agent includes 1,000 free automation credits on every plan. Quo offers a seven-day free trial. The starter plan limits features such as IVR, group calling, and automated summaries.
Core services
- Sona AI agent: Answers common questions and takes messages.
- Shared phone number: Lets multiple users share one number.
- Call forwarding: Sends inbound calls to different numbers based on business hours.
- Team texting: Keeps customer messages visible to authorized team members.
Setup and multi-office fit
Quo is simple for small teams that need a shared number. It is less suitable for organizations that require advanced routing, complex multi-office administration, or a full contact center.
Pros
You get daily database backups.
Solid team collaboration features.
Shared numbers for small teams.
Seven-day free trial.
Cons
Doesn’t support international or vanity numbers.
Only available in the U.S. and Canada.
Lacks advanced features.
4. Google Voice
Best for: Educational institutions and small organizations already using Google Workspace.
Google Voice is Google’s VoIP service that provides phone numbers and calling features. If you’re in the U.S., you can use Google’s carrier, Fi, for your local phone number.
Google Voice is not a full contact center. It suits organizations that need basic business calling, messaging, voicemail, and Google Workspace administration.
Starting price
Google Voice starts at $10 per month, making it one of the more affordable small business phone plans.
Google Voice doesn’t offer first-party calling infrastructure; you must bring your own carrier via a paid SIP Link subscription.
Core services
- Ad hoc user call recording: Lets users manually record calls.
- SIP Link: Connects Google Voice with existing SIP-based desk phones and PBX systems.
- Multi-level auto-attendant: Creates layered menus for departments.
- Google Workspace integration: Connects calling with the broader Google environment.
Setup and multi-office fit
Google Voice is relatively simple for Google Workspace administrators. Businesses with multiple offices, complex queues, or advanced CRM workflows may need a more specialized platform.
Pros
Gives you unlimited text messaging in the U.S.
You can set up advanced reporting with BigQuery.
Available in 30+ countries.
Lowest starting price among the listed VoIP providers.
Cons
No advanced call routing features.
Doesn’t support toll-free numbers.
No organizational tools to manage your contact list.
Video meetings depend on the broader Google Workspace setup.
5. Vonage
Best for: Enterprises that need custom communication workflows and APIs.
Vonage is a CPaaS solution with business communication tools and voice support. It has two main products:
Enterprises can also use their communications and network APIs to build their own contact center from scratch.
- A business communications suite for standard business calling.
- A contact center for advanced requirements.
Enterprises can use Vonage communications and network APIs to build custom workflows and contact-center functions.
Starting price
Vonage Business Communications’ pricing starts at $19.99 per extension, per month, and includes unlimited domestic calling. You get 30% off if you sign up for an annual contract. AI features, digital fax, and APIs are available as add-ons.
This differs from their contact center solution, which includes more advanced features like call pops, call routing, and queue management. If you opt for their contact center, you’ll need to contact their team for a custom quote.
Core services
- Call groups: Send calls to multiple extensions at the same time.
- Visual voicemail: Transcribe voicemails and send them by email.
- Call flip: Move live calls between desktop and mobile devices.
- APIs: Build custom communication workflows and integrations.
Setup and multi-office fit
Vonage suits organizations with technical resources that need APIs or custom routing. Businesses should account for product selection, integrations, add-ons, and implementation requirements.
Pros
Unlimited calling and texts.
Supports local, toll-free, and international phone numbers.
Extensive API support for complex automations and integrations.
Custom workflows for complex integrations.
Cons
Complex pricing, as there are multiple add-ons.
Customer support can be slow.
APIs are better than its built-in business communication tools.
6. 8×8
Best for: Mid-sized businesses operating across international markets.
8×8 is a cloud communications platform with international calling, regional deployment teams, and multilingual support. It integrates with Microsoft Teams Phone, and its call center is certified by Microsoft.
Starting price
8×8 does not publicly list pricing. Businesses must request a custom quote. A contract should identify user fees, number fees, international charges, implementation costs, and renewal terms.
One review describes a dispute involving unnecessary phone numbers, a partial refund, and an auto-renewal contract. This is one customer review and does not establish a general product experience.
Core services
- AI insights: Provides call and sentiment analysis.
- Agent assist: Offers real-time coaching and scripts.
- Three-way calling: Supports conference calls with up to 50 callers.
- International services: Supports traditional PSTN and virtual phone services in many countries.
Setup and multi-office fit
8×8 can fit international businesses that need regional service and Microsoft Teams integration. The custom-quote model makes implementation and total cost difficult to compare without a sales discussion.
Pros
Provides Microsoft Teams-certified compliance call recording.
International PSTN and virtual phone services.
Regional support teams.
Contact-center and analytics features.
Cons
Contract cancellations may take time and incur fees.
The administration interface can be complex.
Incoming calls may ring phones one by one instead of using a shared queue.
7. GoTo Connect
Best for: SMBs that want video meetings and standard VoIP in one package.
Formerly known as Jive Communications, GoTo Connect supports voice, text, video, messaging, and social platforms. It belongs to GoTo’s broader suite, which includes GoTo Meeting and GoTo Webinar.
GoTo Connect includes basic video conferencing. Its AI capabilities focus on chat analytics, quality assurance, and agent coaching. It does not include AI agents or workflow automation as core capabilities.
Starting price
GoTo Connect has not listed its pricing on its webpage. However, they do mention on G2 that the GoTo Connect plans start at $27 and include local and toll-free number support and video meetings for up to four participants.
Many of their features, such as AI receptionist, reporting, and even integrations, are only available as add-ons.
Core services
- Co-browsing: Creates a shared browser experience for agent guidance.
- Call campaigns: Builds outbound queues for follow-ups.
- Ring groups: Routes calls to multiple agents.
- Auto-queue callback: Lets callers request a callback.
- Video meetings: Supports meetings within supported plans.
Setup and multi-office fit
GoTo Connect can suit a small team that wants voice and meetings together. Businesses should confirm participant limits, add-ons, number-porting requirements, and cancellation terms before signing up.
Pros
Softphone widget for taking calls while using other websites.
AI features support selected workflows.
Employees can use shared work phones through the mobile app.
Combines voice and video meetings.
Cons
Customers must contact support to cancel subscriptions.
The interface can be difficult to navigate.
Users report call lag and inconsistent screen sharing.
8. Grasshopper
Best for: Freelancers, solopreneurs, and single-operator businesses looking for a secondary line.
Grasshopper is a more straightforward virtual phone system, making it great for small businesses, freelancers, and agencies in the U.S. or Canada.
Grasshopper is easy to set up because users can select a number, configure forwarding, and use existing mobile devices. It does not offer integrations, advanced routing, or video meetings.
Starting price
Grasshopper’s Solo plan starts at $14 per user, per month, and includes one local or toll-free number and one extension. Team plans are also priced by extensions, not users, making it more affordable.
Grasshopper also offers a seven-day free trial.
Core services
- Ruby receptionist: A live virtual receptionist that answers and routes calls.
- Simultaneous call handling: Helps prevent new callers from receiving a busy signal.
- Incoming call control: Provides greetings, call screening, and forwarding.
- Voicemail delivery: Sends voicemail transcripts and MP3 files to email.
Setup and multi-office fit
Grasshopper is among the easiest options to set up for a solo operator. It is not intended for companies that need multi-office administration, shared queues, CRM integrations, or a full contact center.
Pros
Supports vanity, local, and toll-free numbers.
Setup can take minutes without technical support.
Voicemail transcripts and audio files arrive by email.
Works well for mobile-only users.
Cons
International calls will be charged per minute, which can get expensive.
Doesn’t support desk phones.
Doesn’t support video conferencing or team messaging.
Reporting and routing are basic.
9. Ooma
Best for: Traditional offices requiring VoIP features like paging groups, 3-digit extensions, and analog fax machine support.
Ooma provides VoIP phone services for homes and businesses wanting to move away from traditional landlines. It’s designed for affordability and convenience, and you also get Ooma-branded phones.
Ooma suits traditional offices and institutions that rely on on-premises phone setups or analog systems such as fax machines. Its feature set is less suited to digital-first teams that need advanced automation, CRM integrations, or AI.
Starting price
Ooma’s base plan for businesses starts at $19.95 per user, per month. This includes most of the basic VoIP features you’d need to manage phone support.
However, the plan doesn’t support integrations, text messaging, or analytics. In fact, most integrations are only available on their highest plan, which costs $29.95 per user per month.
Core services
- IP phone paging: Sends one-way messages to multiple IP phones.
- Virtual receptionist: Directs callers and provides business-hours information.
- Company directory: Provides a digital directory of numbers and extensions.
Setup and multi-office fit
Ooma can be practical for a traditional office that wants VoIP features with phone hardware. Multi-office businesses should confirm hardware, site administration, number provisioning, and integration requirements.
Pros
Easy to set up and use.
Provides up to three rental IP phones for free.
Gives each user an additional direct number.
Supports traditional office workflows.
Cons
Doesn’t support international or vanity numbers.
Limited integrations. Only 11, in fact.
No AI capabilities.
Video conferencing is not a core feature.
10. Zoom Phone
Best for: Global enterprises that already use Zoom Meetings.
Along with its video-conferencing app, Zoom provides cloud phone services for businesses. Zoom Phone supports domestic calling in more than 45 countries and lets customers bring their own carrier, including an on-premises system.
Zoom Phone integrates with Zoom Meetings, allowing users to convert voice calls into video conferences.
Starting price
The Zoom Phone Pro plan starts at $15 per user. It is relatively basic and requires a bring-your-own-carrier arrangement. International calling and call center analytics cost extra.
Zoom Meetings is billed separately. The $15 phone price therefore does not represent a complete phone-and-meetings bundle.
Core services
- Call delegation: Lets assistants make calls for executives.
- Whisper: Lets supervisors speak privately to agents.
- Provider exchange: Lets businesses select providers for different regions.
- Time tracking: Supports customer billing based on call duration.
- Video conferencing: Connects phone users with Zoom Meetings.
Setup and multi-office fit
Zoom Phone can fit global teams with existing Zoom accounts and regional carrier requirements. Companies that need sophisticated call queues or skills-based routing may need API work or additional configuration.
Pros
Supports domestic calling in 45+ countries
Supports toll-free, ITFS, and virtual service numbers
Integrates naturally with Zoom Meetings.
APIs support custom tools such as auto-receptionists and shared line groups.
Cons
Multiple users find the phone system complicated.
Customer support can be slow.
Activating SMS for a Zoom-purchased number can take around 28 days.
Video meetings are billed separately from the phone plan.
11. Verizon
Best for: Medium to large businesses that need VoIP, business phone plans, and hardware setup in one platform.
Verizon offers VoIP through its Business Digital Voice product. Service is generally bundled with internet, so pricing and agreements can depend on the broader package.
Verizon suits businesses that want software, hardware, and connectivity from a major cellular and internet provider. It is less flexible for companies that want a standalone cloud phone system.
Starting price
Verizon’s first Business Digital Voice line starts at $20 per month, with additional lines costing $25 per month. Total costs can increase with internet service, activation charges, taxes, and required equipment.
Phone equipment starts at $85 per device.
Core services
- Shared call appearance: Lets multiple phones share one line.
- Hunt group: Transfers calls between phones until an agent answers.
- On-hold messages: Plays music or messages while callers wait.
- Business internet: Can be bundled with voice service.
Setup and multi-office fit
Verizon implementation depends on the carrier package, internet service, equipment, and installation requirements. Businesses with several locations should confirm whether administration and routing work consistently across sites.
Pros
Nationwide coverage.
Promotional offers for new users.
Can combine internet, hardware, and voice.
Cons
No ‘bring-your-own-carrier’ support.
VoIP customer support is limited.
Video conferencing is not a core phone-plan feature.
12. AT&T
Best for: Businesses with utility lines like elevator phones, public safety phones, and fire alarm panels.
AT&T provides business voice, basic VoIP, unified communications, softphones, and wireless plans. Its product range includes services from a complete contact center to a basic business phone package.
Starting price
Voice lines cost $30 per month, while utility lines cost $60 per month. AT&T also offers wireless options through Business Unlimited plans.
These plans serve organizations that use traditional POTS lines and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems. Hardware, installation, taxes, and minimum-line requirements can increase the total cost.
Core services
- Locate Me: Rings multiple phones until someone answers or the call reaches voicemail.
- Business attendant: Routes calls and provides business-hours information.
- Call management: Supports call forwarding, call blocking, and three-way calling.
- Utility-line service: Supports equipment that requires a dedicated phone connection.
Setup and multi-office fit
AT&T can suit organizations with utility-line requirements and established carrier relationships. Companies that need cloud administration, advanced analytics, or multi-office routing should compare it with a dedicated VoIP platform.
Pros
Utility-line support can replace traditional phone systems.
Nationwide coverage.
Wireless plans are available.
Cons
Businesses must use AT&T as the carrier for features such as call transfer.
Costs can become high.
No AI or transcription features.
13. RingCentral
Best for: Large enterprise organizations with dedicated IT infrastructure teams.
RingCentral provides cloud phone features, APIs, SDKs, and automation options. Its app supports calls, messages, and meetings, while advanced AI capabilities are available on selected plans or as add-ons.
RingCentral focuses on voice, text, video, and related business communications. It does not support digital channels such as WhatsApp or Instagram in the same way as a broader omnichannel customer experience platform.
Starting price
RingEX starts at $30 per user, per month when billed monthly. Annual plans receive a 33% discount.
Businesses should confirm renewal pricing after the initial term because introductory discounts may not continue. Advanced AI features are available as add-ons. Base plans include captioning, transcription, and note-taking.
Core services
- RingSense: Records sales conversations and updates CRMs with AI.
- AI receptionist: Answers common questions in English and Spanish and routes calls.
- Cost-center management: Organizes billing codes by department, location, or account.
- Meetings and messaging: Supports collaboration through the broader RingCentral app.
Setup and multi-office fit
RingCentral can support large organizations with internal IT teams, complex permissions, and multi-location requirements. The number of available configuration options can increase implementation work.
Pros
Integrates with 300+ apps.
Extensive APIs, SDKs, and widgets for customizations.
Supports calls, messages, meetings, transcription, and AI add-ons.
Suitable for large organizations with dedicated administrators.
Cons
Customer support can be inconsistent.
Shared numbers don’t support texting.
Call recordings are automatically deleted after 90 days.
Advanced features increase the total cost.
How to Choose the Right Business Phone Plan
A business should select a phone system based on its users, locations, workflows, and required channels.
1. Count users, lines, and locations
Determine whether each employee needs a unique number, a shared number, an extension, or only an outbound caller ID. Per-user pricing can work well for a distributed team, while per-line or per-extension pricing may suit a small office.
For multiple offices, confirm that the provider supports:
- Centralized user and number administration
- Local numbers for each location
- Shared directories and extensions
- Location-based business hours
- Skills-based routing and call queues
- Centralized reporting and permissions
- Number porting across locations
- Disaster recovery and failover options
2. Match mobility to the workforce
Field technicians, delivery crews, and traveling salespeople may need a cellular plan with 5G data and hotspot access. Office and remote teams often need a VoIP app that works on computers and mobile devices.
A BYOD policy can reduce hardware costs, but the business should define security, device management, authentication, and employee offboarding procedures.
3. Check communication channels
A modern business phone plan may include more than calling:
- Business SMS and group texting
- Video meetings
- Team messaging
- Auto-attendant and IVR
- Call queues and callbacks
- Call recording and monitoring
- Voicemail transcription
- CRM and help desk integrations
- AI receptionists and answering services
- Analytics and quality management
- Mobile and desktop applications
A small business may need only forwarding, voicemail, texting, and a professional greeting. A contact center may need conversational AI, transcription, skills-based routing, recording, and workforce analytics.
4. Review video conferencing carefully
Several providers in this comparison support video meetings, but the pricing structure differs:
- Nextiva: Video meetings are included with the Core plan.
- Dialpad: Video is available within supported plans.
- GoTo Connect: Includes basic video conferencing in supported plans.
- RingCentral: Calls, messages, and meetings are available through its broader communications app.
- Zoom Phone: Integrates with Zoom Meetings, but Zoom Meetings is billed separately.
- Google Voice: Video depends on the broader Google Workspace setup.
- Grasshopper, Ooma, Verizon, and AT&T: Video conferencing is not a core phone-plan feature.
The lowest phone price does not always represent the lowest cost for voice and video together.
5. Compare total cost of ownership
Look beyond the advertised starting price. Include:
- Monthly or annual billing
- Per-user, per-line, or per-extension charges
- Taxes and regulatory fees
- Number fees and international calling
- Desk phones and adapters
- Setup and implementation
- Required internet service
- Recording, analytics, AI, and CRM add-ons
- Contract terms and renewal pricing
- Cancellation fees
Google Voice has the lowest listed starting price, but Nextiva includes more communication channels at its $15 annual Core price. Grasshopper may be the simplest low-feature option for one person. A company should compare the features it needs rather than choosing a plan by headline price alone.
6. Confirm setup and number porting
The easiest systems use cloud apps and call forwarding. A full business phone deployment usually involves:
- Confirming users, locations, numbers, and device requirements.
- Selecting a plan and assigning administrators.
- Porting existing numbers or ordering new local and toll-free numbers.
- Building greetings, business hours, menus, queues, and routing rules.
- Connecting CRM, calendar, help desk, and identity tools.
- Testing inbound calls, outbound calls, SMS, voicemail, recording, and failover.
- Training employees and publishing an internal support process.
Grasshopper and Google Voice are practical for basic setups. Nextiva supports a broader deployment without requiring an on-premises PBX. Complex multi-office, contact-center, carrier, or API deployments require more planning.
The Future of Business Is Connected With Nextiva
A phone service alone does not cover every customer interaction. Businesses often need voice, text, video, team messaging, digital channels, and customer records in one connected system.
Nextiva brings these channels together through a unified customer experience platform. Businesses can review business phone plans alongside their customer experience requirements to choose the right level of calling, routing, messaging, and automation.
Explore how Nextiva’s virtual phone system can help a business manage calls, meetings, messaging, and customer interactions from one platform.
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FAQs
When managing multiple offices, you need a cloud platform that supports centralized administration, seamless business-number porting, and intelligent call routing across all locations. A provider that excels in these areas while keeping your team connected via desktop and mobile apps is Nextiva.
Yes, several VoIP services integrate video conferencing into their platforms to reduce the number of apps your team uses. Zoom Phone and RingCentral offer strong video capabilities if you are already using their broader collaboration suites, while Nextiva includes video meetings directly within its foundational Core plan.
For the most basic calling needs, Google Voice has the lowest listed starting price at $10 per user per month. If you are looking for a complete virtual phone system with more built-in features without breaking the bank, Grasshopper (starting at $14) and Nextiva (starting at $15 on an annual plan) offer excellent value.
The ideal phone service acts as a unified platform rather than just a dial tone. For companies that need a seamless blend of voice, SMS, team messaging, video meetings, and advanced customer experience tools all in one place, Nextiva is the top overall choice.
If your small business operates with a single user or has very simple calling needs, lightweight solutions like Grasshopper or Google Voice are great options. However, for growing small businesses that need a complete, scalable system that grows with their team, Nextiva is highly recommended.
Systems designed to work without physical desk-phone hardware are typically the fastest to deploy. Grasshopper is exceptionally easy to set up for basic use, while Nextiva offers a highly intuitive onboarding process that allows you to easily port numbers and deploy desktop and mobile apps in minutes.